Uniden BCT-10 User manual

Introduction

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the BCT-10 Highway

Information System & Scanning Radio! State-of-the-art

engineering and advanced electronics provide you with a

preprogrammed information radio designed for easy operation and

dependability.

With the BCT-10 Scanning Radio, you can listen to hundreds of

highway patrol and police frequencies, as well as a number of

weather channels.

Plus, new built-in technology sounds an alarm when a highway

patrol unit using a mobile extender is detected!

Best of all, you don’t have to program any frequencies. Just set the

BCT-10 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please

read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate

the unit.

Features

• Highway Patrol Detection

with Strength Meter

• Windshield Mountable

• Local Police Coverage • Instant Weather

• Highway Patrol Coverage • Built-in Speaker

• 9 Level Strength Meter • Pre-Programmed Scanner

covers all 50 States Plus

Canada

1

Terms and Definitions

Frequency Radio signals are sent as waves through the

air. These waves move up and down. A

frequency is the number of times in a certain

time period, usually a second, that these

waves move all the way up and all the way

down and back to all the way up. For example:

123.44 kHz means that the waves are moving

all the way up and all the way down and back

all the way up again 123,440 times each

second.

Mobile Extender When highway patrol officers step away from

their cars, signals from the patrol car are sent

to their portable radios via a mobile extender.

The mobile extender is a transmitter/receiver

that receives the signal from the station and

transmits it to the portable radio on a different,

but lower, frequency.

Scanning Scanning is the process by which your

scanning radio looks for “activity” in the

channels it is programmed to look at. The

scanner checks each frequency for the

presence of a signal, and when it finds a

frequency with a signal, for example someone

talking on it, it stops, allowing you to listen to

the signal. The BCT-10’s Highway Patrol Alert

System also looks for activity on mobile

extender frequencies. When the BCT-10

detects the presence of a signal on one of

these frequencies, it will trigger an audio and

visual alarm.

Introduction

2

Unpacking

Carefully remove all items from the box. If there is any visible

damage, do not operate the equipment. Notify your dealer or

shipping carrier immediately.

For information or instructions on any problem that you may have,

call the Uniden Customer Service Center at:

(800) 297-1023 Monday through Friday,

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central.

3

Included with Your BCT-10 Scanner

If any of these items are missing, please contact your place of

purchase.

OFF

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

L/0

HOLD

STATE

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

The BCT-10 Highway

Information System

Windshield Mounting

Bracket and Hardware

Visor Clip Mounting

Bracket

BCT-10 Antenna Cigarette Adapter Power

Cord

BCT 10

SCANNER

Operating Guide

HOLD

L/0

STATE

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

H

Y

W

ST

Y

OFF

BCT-10 Operating Guide

Flexible Mobile Antenna

Νοω ισ τηε τιµε φορ αλλ γοοδ µεν το χοµε το τηε αιδ οφ τηε

παρτψ. Φουρ σχορε ψεασ αγο ουρ φατηερσ σετ φορτη ανεω

νατιον χονχειϖεδ ιν Λιβερτψ ανδ δεδιχατεδ το τηε προποσιτιον

τηατ αλλ µεν αρε χρεατεδ εθυαλ. Τηε θυιχκ βροων φοξ ϕυµπεδ

οϖερ τηε γαρδεν ωαλλ. Νοω ισ τηε τιµε φο4ρ αλλ γοοδ µεν το

χοµε το τηε αιδ οφ τηε παρτψ.

Νοω ισ τηε τιµε φορ αλλ γοοδ µεν το χοµε το τηε αιδ

οφ τηε παρτψ. Φουρ σχορε ψεασ αγο ουρ φατηερσ σετ

φορτη α νεω νατιον χονχειϖεδ ιν Λιβερτψ ανδ

δεδιχατεδ το τηε προποσιτιον τηατ αλλ µεν αρε

χρεατεδ εθυαλ. Τηε θυιχκ βροων φοξ ϕυµπεδ οϖερ τηε

γαρδεν ωαλλ. Νοω ισ τηε τι µε φο4ρ αλλ γοοδ µεν το

χοµε το τηε αιδ οφ τηε παρτψ.

Νοω ισ τηε τιµε φορ αλλ γοοδ µεν το χοµε το τηε

αιδ οφ τηε παρτψ. Φουρ σχορε ψεασ αγο ουρ

φατηερσ σετ φορτη α νεω νατιον χονχειϖεδ ιν

Λιβερτψ ανδ δεδιχατεδ το τηε προποσιτιον τηατ

αλλ µεν αρε χρεατεδ εθυαλ. Τηε θυιχκ βροων

φοξ ϕυµπεδ οϖερ τηε γαρδεν ωαλλ. Νοω ισ τηε

τιµε φο4ρ αλλ γοοδ µεν το χοµε το τηε αιδ οφ

τηε παρτψ.

Other Printed Material Straight Power Cord

4

Installation

The BCT-10 uses a highly sensitive antenna to receive radio

signals. Its sensitivity and range depend on the method of

installation and the direction of the antenna in relation to the signal

source. Before you decide where to put your scanner, please keep

in mind one important factor:

For safety, do not mount the BCT-10 in a location where it will

obstruct your driving vision.

Helpful Tips

The antenna is located on the side of the unit. It should not be

obstructed and should be pointed as close to straight up or down

for best operation.

• Do not mount the unit in front of the heater or defroster vents.

• Do not leave the unit in direct sunlight or in the glove

compartment of a closed car for long periods of time, as

extreme changes in temperature may cause internal damage.

Also, removing the unit from the windshield makes you less

susceptible to break-in and theft.

• Be sure the BCT-10 is mounted free of obstructions from the

rear view mirror, sun visors, or the ceiling of the automobile.

Installation

5

Installing the Antenna

BCT-10 Antenna

1. Pinch the sides of the

antenna and attach it to

the BCT-10.

Flexible Mobile Antenna

1. Mount the antenna on the

inside of the windshield at

the far right-hand

(passenger) side.

Caution: Be sure the antenna does not obstruct the driver’s vision

in any way.

2. Route the antenna cable down the edge of the windshield and

around the dash.

HOLD

L/0

STATE

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

Installation

6

Caution:

Be sure the cable is out of the way of anyone getting in or

out of the car.

3. Plug the cable’s BNC

connector into the BCT-10.

Mounting the BCT-10

Visor Mounting

1. Snap the visor clip onto the

BCT-10.

Note: Make sure that the bracket tabs fit securely in the slots.

HOLD

L/0

STATE

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

SQUELCH

Slots

Installation

7

2. Slide the clip over the front

of the visor.

3. Adjust the angle of the

antenna as close to

straight up or down as

possible.

Note: You can remove and replace the BCT-10 by sliding both

the unit and the visor mount off and on the visor.

SQUELCH

Installation

8

Windshield Mounting

1. Find a good position for the BCT-10 on your windshield. Refer

to the Helpful Tips on page 5 for some guidelines on mounting

positions.

2. Put the metal

mounting

bracket on

the

windshield to

adjust it for

best position.

3. If necessary, adjust the metal

mounting bracket so that

when you slide the BCT-10

onto it, it is parallel to the

road surface and fits flush

against the windshield.Your

BCT-10 should look like the

example at the right once it

is installed.

Caution:

Do Not adjust the metal mounting bracket with the

BCT-10 attached. Doing so can cause damage to the

bracket and the unit.

1

2

3

4

1. Windshield

2. Road Surface

3. Metal Mounting

Bracket

4. Metal Mounting

Bracket

parallel to road

VOLUME

OFF

VOLUME

OFF

VOLUME

OFF

Installation

9

4. Snap the windshield

mounting clip onto the

BCT-10.

5. Slide the plastic windshield

mounting clip into the the

metal mounting bracket.

The mounting clip locks into the plastic portion at three different

positions. These positions can be used for vehicles with different

vertical angles of their windshields. The back position can be used

for vehicles with windshields that are slanted back.

Slots

VOLUME

OFF

HOLD

L/0

STATE

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

Installation

10

6. Place the bracket and the

BCT-10 in the proper location

on the windshield of your

vehicle and press the suction

cups firmly against the

windshield.If the BCT-10

does not fit flush against the

windshield, try a different

position on the metal

mounting bracket.

7. Adjust the angle of the

antenna as close to straight

up or down as possible.

VOLUME

OFF

VOLUME

OFF

VOLUME

OFF

SQUELCH

Installation

11

Connecting the Power

Direct Connection

WARNING: The BCT-10 is designed to operate only with 12V DC,

negative ground power systems. Operation of the unit

on other voltages or polarities will cause damage to

the unit and may create a fire hazard.

The straight power cord provided with the unit has bare wires at

one end, and a small connector at the other end.

1. Connect the positive wire to a 12V DC source in your vehicle’s

fuse box.

2. Connect the other wire to ground.

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

L/0

HOLD

STATE

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

OFF

Fuse

Box

12

3. Run the power cord from the fuse box to the BCT-10.

Note: Ensure the cord does not interfere with vehicle operation

or cause a tripping hazard.

4. Plug the power cord connector into the Control Unit at the jack

labeled “DC 12V.”

Note: Push the connector firmly into the jack.

Using the Cigarette Lighter Adapter

1. Insert the small connector

into the jack on the side of

the unit.

2. Insert the other end into the

cigarette lighter socket of

your vehicle.

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

L/0

HOLD

STATE

HIGHWAY

SYSTEM

OFF

Connecting the Power

13

When installing the power cord, make sure that:

• The socket is clean to allow proper contact.

• The power cord does not block the antenna area of the unit.

Your unit also comes with 10 power cord mounting clips. You can

use these clips to attach the power cord to the window frame or

other parts of the vehicle, keeping it neat and out of the way. Use

the double-sided foam tape squares to attach each clip. Slip the

power cord into the clip to hold it securely in place.

Replacing the Fuse

The cigarette lighter plug contains a 1-ampere fuse to protect it

from power surges.

1. To replace the fuse, unscrew the top of the plug.

2. Remove the fuse and replace it with the same type.

3. To replace the top, push in

the two metal contacts and

twist into place.

Connecting the Power

14

Operating Instructions

Applying Power

1. Turn the OFF/VOLUME

control counter clockwise to

power on the scanner.Adjust

the volume about 1/4 turn.

2. During power-on, a self-test

is performed. Check the front

control panel for proper

operation.

3. All the LED’s on the front

control panel light up and the

numbers 1 through 9 count

up on the LED display.An

Alert tone is also sounded.

This tells you that the

scanner is working properly.

4. The currently selected state

appears on the display.The

BCT-10 always comes on

with the last settings

selected, and in the last

mode of operation.

MUTE

DISPLAY

SR HP

WX LP

MUTE

HOLD

9

TX

MUTE

HOLD

15

Adjusting the Squelch

Think of the Squelch Control as a gate.

1. Turn the SQUELCH control fully counterclockwise. This raises

the “Squelch Gate” so high that no signals can get through.

2. Turn the SQUELCH control fully clockwise until you hear a

hiss. This lowers the “Squelch Gate” so that everything gets

through ... noise, weak signals, and strong signals.

Strong Signals

Medium Signals

Weak Signals

Noise

Strong Signals

Medium Signals

Weak Signals

Noise

Operating Instructions

16

3. Turn the SQUELCH conrol back counter clockwise just until

the hiss stops. Now the “Squelch Gate” allows only strong

signals through.

4. Sometimes when you open the Squelch, you may trigger the

Alert feature even though no highway patrol cars are in the

area. If this happens, turn the SQUELCH control

counterclockwise until the “rushing” noise stops. Then turn the

BCT-10 off, and back on, to reset the Alert feature.

Note: In metropolitan areas, you may want to adjust the Squelch

control more counterclockwise to reduce the range of

the Alert feature. When set fully counterclockwise,

Squelch limits the Alert range to a short distance.

Strong Signals

Medium Signals

Weak Signals

Noise

Operating Instructions

17

Selecting the State

1. Select the state you are

operating in by pressing

the

S

key repeatedly. If

you press and hold the

S

key for 2 seconds, the

selector moves rapidly

through all the states and

Canadian provinces.

2. The state code appears on

the display. See the

following page for a list of

State codes.

Note: The state codes are in alphabetical order by abbreviation.

HOLD

L/0

STATE

MUTE

MODE

ALARM

SYSTEM

TX

MUTE

HOLD

Operating Instructions

18

State Codes

Code State Code State

AK Alaska NM New Mexico

AL Alabama NV Nevada

AR Arkansas NY New York

AZ Arizona OH Ohio

CA California OK Oklahoma

CO Colorado OR Oregon

CT Connecticut PA Pennsylvania

DC District of Columbia RI Rhode Island

DE Delaware SC South Carolina

FL Florida SD South Dakota

GA Georgia TN Tennessee

HI Hawaii TX Texas

IA Iowa UT Utah

ID Idaho VA Virginia

IL Illinois VT Vermont

IN Indiana WA Washington

KS Kansas WI Wisconsin

KY Kentucky WV West Virginia

LA Louisiana WY Wyoming

MA Massachusetts AB Alberta

MD Maryland BC British Columbia

ME Maine MB Manitoba

MI Michigan NB New Brunswick

MN Minnesota NF Newfoundland

MO Missouri NS Nova Scotia

MS Mississippi NT Northwest Territories

MT Montana ON Ontario

NC North Carolina PE Prince Edward Island

ND North Dakota PQ Quebec

NE Nebraska SK Saskatchewan

NH New Hampshire YT Yukon Territories

NJ New Jersey XX All Frequencies

Operating Instructions

19

Selecting the Frequencies to Scan

Scanning All Frequencies

Note: The Alert feature is not active in this mode.

1. To scan all frequencies

(except Weather), press

the

S

key repeatedly or

press and hold the

S

key until “XX” is blinking on

the LED display.

2. All frequencies, except weather channels, are scanned for an

active transmission.

3. When the BCT-10 finds an

active frequency it

activates a buit-in two

second delay before it

resumes scanning.

Note: The

M

key does not operate in XX mode.

MUTE

HOLD

XX

MUTE

HOLD

XX

Operating Instructions

20

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